Belgium Takes Reign Over Azalea Festival

February 21, 1991|By JILL KEECH Staff Writer

NORFOLK — The Kingdom of Belgium has been named most-honored nation for Norfolk's 38th International Azalea Festival scheduled for April 17-21. Reigning as Queen Azalea will be Isabelle De Ruyt of Brussels.

The festival is an annual salute to the U.S. military in Hampton Roads and to NATO, which has its Atlantic headquarters in Norfolk.

Performances will include the Virginia Symphony with Belgian pianist Patrick Dheur. Also featured will be showcase works of contemporary Belgian art, an exhibit of Belgian lace at the Hermitage Foundation Museum in Norfolk and a World Affairs Council reception and dinner with Belgium's ambassador to the United States.

Another highlight will be the traditional Belgian ``Bruegelfest,'' named after Pieter Bruegel, a 16th-century Flemish artist inspired by outdoor village festivals. The Town Point Park event will feature Belgian culinary specialties and entertainment.

More than 100 units will participate in the Azalea Festival parade, and the air show will include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

De Ruyt is the daughter of Jean De Ruyt, deputy chief of mission at the Belgian Embassy in Washington. She is 16 and attends the French International School in Washington. She expects to receive the French baccalaureate degree in June and plans to attend college in Europe and major in journalism.

Several factors determine selection of the most honored nation, a decision made a year in advance, says Beth Baker, festival director. One criterion is when a NATO member country was last honored, which in the case of Belgium was 1967.

Once the country has been selected, the queen is chosen by the country's ambassador.

The festival is sponsored by Norfolk and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce-Norfolk.